If Yanshu hadn't explained it to him, Yuwen Lan wouldn't have known that the King of Nanzhao, Mu Zhengping, had personally come to the capital.

It's worth noting that four years ago, when he ascended the throne, Mu Zhengping hadn't even attended.

Hmm... Could he be here this time to see Princess Shou'an?

To be honest, Yuwen Lan didn't quite understand.

Of course, whether Mu Zhengping came or not was his own business. Right now, Yuwen Lan was more concerned about Yanshu.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Who was it that mentioned prenatal education to me last time? You spend all day thinking about these things, is it really good for the child?"

As he spoke, he carefully reached out and gently stroked her belly.

Hmm, it seemed to have grown a bit.

Come to think of it, the little peanut inside should have grown to the size of a small walnut by now, right?

Listening to all this idle gossip with its mother every day, who knows if it'll grow up with a head full of gossip...

Yuwen Lan tried to imagine that scene—

A cute little baby, opening its mouth to spout other people's secrets...

Yikes, that seemed a bit scary.

However, the person in his arms said, "It seems Your Majesty still doesn't quite understand. The most important thing about prenatal education is keeping the mother in a good mood. When the mother is in a good mood, the baby will grow well and have a good personality. I'm stuck in this palace all day and can't go out, with the same few things in front of my eyes day in and day out. Don't I need to find some amusement?"

Besides...

There was also a system that gave her gossip every day. How could she be satisfied just eating it without watching?

Suddenly, the system chimed in, [??? Blaming me now?]

Yanshu ignored it and continued speaking to Yuwen Lan, "I heard that Princess Shou'an has been getting quite cozy with the Rouran Envoy these past few days. Wouldn't it be fun if that Mu Zhengping, who's been waiting so long, found out? Tell me honestly, Your Majesty, don't you want to see that?"

Yuwen Lan: "...Why would I want to see such things?"

Ahem, since when did he care about such matters? What he cared about were the important affairs behind all this.

After he finished speaking, he saw Yanshu looking at him with disappointment. "Is that so? Then from now on, I won't tell Your Majesty about these things anymore."

She had thought they were kindred spirits, but it seems she was mistaken.

Yuwen Lan, who had been silently listening: "???"

She felt "mistaken" just like that?

...Was it really necessary?

He had no choice but to say, "Fine, Mu Zhengping is after all the King of Nanzhao. If he really has come to the capital, the court will certainly need to entertain him properly. I'll allow you to attend as well, but remember not to get too excited. No matter what, remember you have a little one in your belly."

She stroked her belly with a smug look and said, "Of course. I've been reading storybooks to him in my spare time these days. I'm sure he'll be eloquent in the future."

What, what? Storybooks???

Yuwen Lan's brow twitched. "Wait, why not read some works by the great Tang and Song Dynasty writers? Why storybooks?"

She replied, "Those are too profound. He's so small now, he won't understand. Storybooks are more down-to-earth."

Yuwen Lan: "...Who exactly is it that doesn't understand?"

She waved her hand dismissively and said, "That's not important. What matters is, when Mu Zhengping comes, will the Empress Dowager attend too?"

Hehe, such a good opportunity, of course she had to invite her top supporter to enjoy the drama together!

Yuwen Lan's brow twitched again. "Why involve the Empress Dowager?"

She replied matter-of-factly, "Because the Empress Dowager has been in the palace longer and must be in even greater need of amusement! Isn't Your Majesty always the most filial? Of course you should invite the Empress Dowager for such an opportunity!"

Hehe, after all, the Empress Dowager had already guessed that Mu Zhengping liked Princess Shou'an. Wouldn't it be more lively to enjoy the drama together?

...

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Of course, since the Mu family of Nanzhao and the Yuwen family were related by marriage, if a banquet were to be held, the Empress Dowager should attend as an elder of the Yuwen family.

But he realized that now, the most filial person to the Empress Dowager was no longer him, but her.

Sure enough, just as the system had said, the next day, Mu Zhengping, the King of Nanzhao, arrived in the capital.

To show respect, Yuwen Lan immediately sent court officials and royal relatives, including King Ruyang, to welcome him.

In the evening, he hosted the first welcoming banquet at Jiying Hall in the palace.

— It was called the first banquet because this was merely a family gathering hosted by the Yuwen family as in-laws.

In two more days, when envoys from various countries arrived, there would be a higher-level state banquet to entertain Mu Zhengping.

As this was a family gathering, the main members of the Yuwen family, including the Emperor, Empress Dowager, King Ruyang and his wife, and the Grand Princess and her husband, naturally had to attend.

Yanshu finally got her wish and tagged along with the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

She saw Princess Shou'an, as the Empress Dowager of Nanzhao, sitting in the guest of honor's seat, while the much-anticipated King of Nanzhao, Mu Zhengping, was seated next to his sister-in-law.

Yanshu was extremely excited and immediately turned her gaze towards them upon being seated.

She saw that Mu Zhengping appeared to be in his thirties, tall and well-built, with skin slightly darker than that of the Central Plains people, and quite handsome features.

However, she hadn't expected that this time he would bring his nephew along — that is, Princess Shou'an's son, nicknamed A'lang, who was the Crown Prince of Nanzhao, Mu Jingshuo.

The young boy looked about twelve or thirteen years old, his features a perfect blend of Central Plains and Nanzhao characteristics, appearing quite handsome.

Children are always attached to their mothers, and at this moment, he was affectionately nestled close to his mother, looking both adorable and pitiful.

As the banquet began, both sides exchanged greetings and pleasantries.

Yanshu observed quietly and felt that this King Mu looked gloomy, as if he was a bit unhappy.

She quietly called out to the system, [What's wrong with Mu Zhengping?]

The system replied, [Nothing much, he just heard about Princess Shou'an drinking with the Rouran Envoy and got jealous.]

Yanshu: [...]

Hasn't he gotten used to it after all these years?

At this moment, Mu Zhengping addressed the Emperor, "This time, I was able to successfully resolve the issue with the Pu clan, thanks to Your Majesty's assistance. As it coincides with Your Majesty's Changnin Festival, and considering that my nephew A'lang hasn't visited his relatives in the Central Plains for many years, I brought him along. It's a bit abrupt, please forgive us."

Yuwen Lan politely replied, "Having friends come from afar, how delightful. King Mu is being too modest. As we are relatives, it's only right that we visit each other more often."

The Empress Dowager also said, "It's been many years since we last met, A'lang has grown so much. If we hadn't seen him this time, we might not have recognized him on the street. What His Majesty says is right, relatives should visit each other more often."

After these words, both sides nodded in agreement and toasted each other.

But after putting down their wine cups, Mu Zhengping suddenly coughed and said to Princess Shou'an, "There's another matter I came for this time. I want to invite sister-in-law to return to Nanzhao. A'lang is still young after all, and it's not good for him to have been without his mother's company for so many years."

Upon hearing this, Yanshu paused, thinking to herself, could Mu Zhengping be making a public confession???

No way!

Then, he continued, "In the past, the Pu clan committed many evil deeds, and I bear some responsibility for that. I haven't been a good ruler, nor a good uncle, and certainly not a good brother. So this time, I've made up my mind to invite sister-in-law back to Nanzhao to assist A'lang."

Assist...

Everyone who heard this paused quietly—

Why did King Mu use this word? Could he have some plan?

Princess Shou'an, of course, also caught on and immediately asked, "You want me to go back and assist A'lang? What about you?"

Mu Zhengping replied...

"I plan to renounce secular life and become a monk."

What???

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Princess Shou'an was stunned, but everyone in the hall was shocked.

Be-become a monk?

Mu Zhengping, the mighty King of Nanzhao, wants to become a monk???

Yanshu also looked surprised, thinking to herself, could this person be using some sort of ploy?

Then she heard the system chime in to explain, [To be fair, Buddhism is quite prevalent in Nanzhao, and it's not uncommon for nobles to become monks. There have been several in the Mu family, such as A'lang's paternal grandfather, who abdicated and became a monk himself, passing the throne to his son.]

Yanshu: "..."

Could it be that this man has grown weary of waiting for love and become disillusioned?

She immediately looked towards Princess Shou'an.

Only to find that the Emperor and Empress Dowager were also looking in the same direction.

Yanshu: "..."

Her top supporter was one thing, but who was it that said they weren't interested in gossip yesterday?

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Nevermind, let's pretend not to have heard that.

At the end of their gazes, before Princess Shou'an could say anything, A'lang became anxious and immediately said, "Uncle, no! Don't abandon A'lang to become a monk!"

After these words were spoken, Princess Shou'an, who had come to her senses, finally spoke up, "Why put yourself through this? You are, after all, the ruler of Nanzhao. What would I, a mere woman, know about such matters?"

Little did they know, Mu Zhengping said, "It's alright. The court has already been purged, and those who remain are loyal ministers. They will all help you and A'lang. Moreover, I believe His Majesty will surely support you both."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yuwen Lan.

Yuwen Lan had no choice but to speak, "Nanzhao and Great Liang have been on good terms for generations. If there are any difficulties, I will certainly spare no effort to help. However, regarding the matter of becoming a monk, wouldn't King Mu like to reconsider?"

But Mu Zhengping replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty, but my mind is made up. Over the years, I have wronged many people - my late elder brother, my sister-in-law, and A'lang... If it weren't for me, he should have had his mother by his side..."

As his words fell, Yanshu couldn't help but think to herself, [Is he referring to that affair between the two of them?]

Yuwen Lan, [...It seems so.]

The Empress Dowager was also pondering, [Oh? Could there be something more between these two?]

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Mother is indeed formidable.

While the rest of the crowd, [???]

What's going on? From the sound of it, did this King Mu do something?

For a moment, all eyes shifted between Princess Shou'an and Mu Zhengping.

After a moment of silence, Princess Shou'an finally spoke, "A'lang is after all my flesh and blood. I haven't been there for him much these years, and that's my fault. You have been an excellent uncle to him, and I've always been grateful for that. After His Majesty's Long'an Festival, I will return to Nanzhao to be with A'lang. But A'lang is still young, and it's more appropriate for you to keep your position, King Mu. As for becoming a monk, let's forget about that."

Before Mu Zhengping could respond, A'lang immediately brightened up and said, "Mother, do you really mean it?"

Princess Shou'an ruffled her son's hair and said, "Of course I mean it. In front of His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and your uncles and aunts, how could I lie to you?"

A'lang broke into a smile and said, "Thank you, Mother."

Mu Zhengping didn't speak, but merely raised his cup and took a drink. The gloom between his brows seemed to have lessened somewhat.

Yanshu observed this and raised an eyebrow inwardly.

Has Princess Shou'an been subdued?

Does she still care for her brother-in-law in her heart?

Or is she simply concerned for her son?

Could it be that the "playboy" tactic of crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide worked???

...

Yuwen Lan thought to himself, who cares.

It's good that this matter has a resolution...

Hopefully, this aunt will return to Nanzhao soon.

He was truly worried about his beloved consort's constantly fluctuating emotions!

It's exhausting.

As the Emperor's birthday drew nearer, envoys from various countries began to arrive one after another.

On the eve of the Long'an Festival, the palace officially held a banquet for foreign envoys to entertain the diplomats from various countries.

Yanshu, as the highest-ranking consort in the harem at present, was able to accompany the Emperor to attend.

She hadn't realized until now how developed Great Liang's foreign relations were. At the banquet, apart from several important ministers of the court, there were envoys from various countries, with seats extending all the way to the entrance of Jiying Hall.

Most of the envoys were high-ranking and powerful figures in their own countries. Some countries, like Gaoli, even sent a prince in person, showing their high regard for Great Liang.

At the banquet, everyone wore the traditional clothing of their own countries and raised their glasses together to congratulate the Emperor on his birthday. The scene was quite magnificent.

While Yanshu marveled at this, she couldn't help but wonder if there were any interesting "melons" (gossip) among these people.

As the second round of drinks was being served and the atmosphere in the hall was becoming convivial, the Dongwo Envoy stepped forward and said, "To celebrate Your Majesty's birthday, our king has specially prepared a gift for Your Majesty. Please accept it with a smile."

As he spoke, he waved his hand towards the entrance of the hall.

In a moment, two women walked into the hall. Both had graceful figures, wore veils, and seemed to emit a faint fragrance.

Everyone was stunned. Was the Kingdom of Dongwo offering beautiful women as gifts to the Emperor?

Tsk tsk, it was rumored that the Dongwo royal family had indulged in sensual pleasures in recent years, with many variations in their play. Who would have thought they would even offer beautiful women as gifts?

Sure enough, the envoy smiled again and said, "These two women were carefully selected by our country, representing our king's sincerity. We hope for eternal friendship between Dongwo and Great Liang, and we hope Your Majesty will accept them."

As his words fell, everyone secretly glanced at the Emperor.

Would the Emperor accept these Dongwo beauties?

Especially now, when Consort Yi was pregnant.

There weren't many people in the harem to begin with, and the other one wasn't favored at all. The Emperor must have been quite frustrated these days, right?

At this moment, Yanshu, sitting beside the Emperor, was also pondering this question.

—Tsk, originally planning to eat others' "melons" tonight, but now it seems the "melon" is on my own head?

Filling up the harem so soon?

And two at once?

Both foreigners?

Will the Emperor... accept them?

But before the Emperor could speak, she heard the system chime in, [It depends on whether the Emperor can accept it or not. These two are actually intersex.]

Yanshu, [???]